Consumer Reports: Avoiding dangerous chemicals in common household cleaners

NEW YORK -- Do you know what's inside the cleaner you use to wash windows and glass, kitchens and bathrooms?

Consumer Reports says some ingredients are dangerous. Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Director of Consumer Safety and Sustainability, offers advice to help you choose the safest options.

"Regular housecleaning shouldn't require harsh chemicals," Dr. Rangan said. "You should stay away from antibacterials like dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. These chemicals may help promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria."

The harsh chemical can be found in Scrubbing Bubbles Heavy Duty All Purpose Cleaner and some types of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Better choices include Clorox Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner, which did well in Consumer Reports' tough mess test.

Also consider Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes, a good option for occasional disinfecting, like when there's a cold or flu around.

As for your bathroom, be aware that toilet-bowl cleaners can harbor some of the most dangerous chemicals in your house.

Products such as Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner Complete Clean contain hydrochloric acid, which can burn your eyes and skin. For a safer option, select a cleaner without hydrochloric acid, like Seventh Generation Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner, which did well in Consumer Reports' tests.

Spring-cleaning means washing windows and making glass sparkle, but be careful with ammonia. It can potentially damage your eyes or lungs. Instead, try a glass cleaner that's ammonia-free, like Staples' Sustainable Earth Glass Cleaner - a better bet.

Another option is to dilute ammonia - half a cup in four cups of water. The Environmental Protection Agency is now offering more help in finding safer cleaning products. It has just issued a "Safer Choice" logo, which can be found on more than one-thousand products available at stores such as Home Depot, Staples, Target, and Walmart.